Official Sampling of Bulk Fertiliser Supplies

Keywords: sampling, bulk heaps, in motion, fertiliser.

In order to protect traders and customers from misleading information about the nutrient content of fertilisers, European and National Law requires appointed officials to take samples for chemical analysis against nutrient declarations of fertiliser placed on the market (which includes sale and possession for sale).

This paper outlines the methods currently specified for official sampling from fertiliser in bulk, both fluid and solid, and examines the difficulties the official faces when trying to sample bulk material.

The paper then looks at current sampling methods for bulk stockpiles in Standards that deal with other commodities.

Finally, the paper suggests further work that needs to be evaluated to fulfil the request to CEN from the European Commission to re-examine sampling from static heaps, with a view to preparing a Standard method which will not require the heap to be sampled while in motion.

John V Cheetham, 15 Herrick Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 2BP, UK.

24 pages, 6 figures, 1 table, 13 references.